Manipur to reopen National Highways for all communities in a major push to restore normalcy

In a significant step towards restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen on Saturday announced that national highways in the state would be reopened for the free movement of people from all communities. Singh made the announcement during a visit to Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, where he inaugurated several development projects and called for reconciliation and greater trust among communities.

Movement along National Highway 2, connecting Imphal with Dimapur, and NH-37, linking Imphal with Silchar, has been severely affected for sections of the population since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023. Both highways pass through Kangpokpi district. On his arrival in Kangpokpi, Singh was received by Kipgen, Saitu MLA Haokholet, the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and other senior officials.

Bus services to resume

Addressing the gathering, Singh said Manipur had a history spanning nearly 3,000 years and that people belonging to different communities had contributed to shaping and protecting the state's boundaries. He said the conflict had adversely affected future generations and stressed the need to reduce its long-term impact by restoring connectivity and normal movement. "Because of the conflict that has happened, future generations have been affected. To reduce that effect, Imphal-Dimapur bus services will resume very shortly for all communities," Singh said.

The chief minister said it was unfortunate that certain vested-interest groups were attempting to create confusion among people but maintained that every crisis had a solution. Calling for greater trust and cooperation, Singh urged people from different communities to support one another and said they should consider themselves Indians first and Manipuris thereafter. He stressed that India's development could not be complete without the progress of the Northeast, while Manipur's development would remain incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi district. During the visit, Singh also inaugurated a dialysis unit at the Kangpokpi district headquarters. He appealed to people to "forgive and forget" and said the government was taking the situation arising from the ethnic conflict seriously.

Earlier in the morning, villagers at Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district welcomed the chief minister as he travelled towards the district headquarters. In a social media post, Singh described the decision as a significant step towards restoring normalcy in the state. "Today marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy in Manipur. In the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and NDA legislators, it was decided that the Imphal-Guwahati Bus Service will resume shortly and the national highway will be open to all communities," he said. "These steps will strengthen connectivity, rebuild trust and deepen people-to-people bonds. Let us move forward together in peace, reconciliation and hope for a peaceful, united Manipur," he added.

Kipgen calls for reconciliation

Kipgen said national highways belonged to the country and should remain accessible to everyone irrespective of their community. "National highways are not the property of anyone but the property of the nation. I also agree that the movement of all should be allowed on the highways," she said. Calling the occasion historic, the deputy chief minister said the BJP-led government had consistently worked towards bringing development to Manipur. She stressed that the state could achieve comprehensive development only when its valley and hill areas progressed together. Lasting peace, she said, could be achieved through mutual trust and affection among communities.

Kipgen also sought the cooperation of civil society organisations, public leaders, intellectuals and other stakeholders in efforts to restore lasting peace. Saitu MLA Haokholet, meanwhile, said he was happy to meet fellow legislators after nearly three years and appealed to all communities and those involved in the conflict to leave the past behind and work towards restoring normalcy. He underlined the importance of National Highway 2, describing it as a lifeline for all communities in Manipur since World War II.